MEGHA (Meghalaya E-Governance Human-centred Assistance), an innovative AI platform focused on empowering marginalized communities, clinched the first prize at the prestigious Kennedy AI for Good Hackathon hosted by Harvard Kennedy School.
MEGHA is designed to help citizens in rural areas access government schemes through a voice-first AI interface, ensuring that even those with basic mobile phones can benefit from crucial public services. The platform exemplifies how responsible AI can drive digital inclusion and enhance governance, particularly in underserved regions.
The team behind MEGHA includes Manish Maheshwari, former Head of Twitter India, co-founder of an AI startup, and a current Harvard Fellow; Dr. Aarushi Jain, Policy Director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy; Mohammed Y Safirulla K, an IAS officer specializing in digital governance; Manudev Jain, an IRS officer and Harvard student; and Ashish Tiwari, an IPS officer and Fulbright Scholar.
Following the victory, Maheshwari shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of AI in solving real-world problems: “In today’s world, it’s not about building something flashy — it’s about solving something real. The true power of AI lies in connecting proven technologies with urgent human needs. As implementation costs decrease, AI has the potential to unlock dignity, opportunity, and inclusion for millions.”
Dr. Jain also reflected on the platform’s goal to bridge the gap in information and digital literacy for rural citizens. She explained, “MEGHA is designed to address information asymmetry and digital-literacy challenges. By providing responses grounded in verified official documents, MEGHA delivers clear, concise guidance in accessible, conversational language.”
The hackathon served as a showcase of Harvard’s dedication to promoting AI for the public good, emphasizing its role in advancing digital inclusion globally. The success of MEGHA highlights the transformative power of human-centered AI in supporting initiatives like Digital India and Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.
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